Having
played with the original OTUS at length and slowly appreciating the left field thinking, and even falling in love with it a little, there were some things that not everyone would appreciate. Pitch control for example is something that many DJs prefer to have exact control over - something that the original touch sensitive OTUS lacked. Well that and a few other things will soon be addressed with the long awaited Otus RAW.
The official words from EKS follow:
EKS Unleashes Otus RAW, The World’s Most Highly Configurable DJ Controller
New DJ controller features heavy-duty pitch sliders, large velocity pads/buttons, dual layer deck functionality and rugged chassis design
Espoo, Finland - (January 12, 2010) – EKS, creators of the world’s most innovative and fully configurable DJ controllers, is proud to announce the debut of their latest innovation - Otus RAW. Designed to work as a single or dual deck controller, EKS’ Otus RAW will contain many new features that were requested by professional DJs from around the world. Otus RAW is also designed to fully utilize the possibilities offered by today’s and tomorrow’s DJ software.
Unlike the original Otus, Otus RAW is equipped with two long and sturdy SL-turntable-style pitch sliders, one for each virtual deck. The Otus RAW also features large velocity pads and buttons allowing for fast and easy operation in a hectic club environment. A layer switch immediately multiplies the layers of controls available on the Otus RAW, resulting in nearly an unlimited number of control possibilities. As with all EKS controllers, the Otus RAW will boast a future proof control ideology that makes the Otus RAW the most highly configurable controller for DJs today and for many years to come.
“The concept for the Otus RAW was simple: take feedback from the world’s most well respected DJs on the original Otus and incorporate it into the design of Otus RAW,” commented Sulevi Seppänen, EKS’ Sales Director. “The original Otus is still one of the finest controllers on the market, but we realize that some DJs prefer the physical control of a SL-turntable-style slider as opposed to a touch sensitive slider. Between the Otus RAW and the original Otus, I believe our engineers have created two of the marquee controllers on the market today.”
The Otus RAW will be available for sale this spring; pricing has not been set at this time.
Click the above for high resSo while the essence of Otus is still strong in this one, RAW bridges the gap a little for those who prefer fully physical controls but still want the aesthetic hotness of the original. It looks like you'll be able to manhandle a prototype for yourself at NAMM on stand 7222 in hall A.
..marquee is an adjective?
i thought it was a tent.
That's what I've been waiting for!
It's all about proper price and this could be the problem for EKS when your charging 1050$US for the OTUS. This is a midi controller not a CDJ!
@Nanofox
On one hand I agree with you on the price, but you have to take into account the:
- nextlevelness (has this word been trademarked yet?)
- the number of other budget midi devices it replaces
- the number of turntables/CDJs it replaces
- how many others are making anything that competes.
The price can't come down until there is real competition. (I'd say Vestax, Stanton and Numark all know how to make an OTUS but they ain't yet.)
The aliens have landed.
I wonder if the double pitch faders are a real improvement though, I would have preferred a motorised pitch fader, like the Stanton SCS1D.
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I will prefer motorized pitch fader, touchstrip too linked and unlink option button.
To me pitch tone with touchstrip is cool.
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lookin at it gives me back problems
This is ever so interesting... i thought there would be no news of the RAW for a while, also i could never have thought of it improving this much from the already pretty neat looking OTUS.
I ended up skipping the first OTUS due to too small buttons and lack of clear controls. Two things that have changed with the RAW, now presenting, in at least my eyes, the perfect deck controller (save the lack of motorized pitch faders and perhaps a bit odd spherical layout of the buttons on the sides).
Now its just up to see what they decide for pricing. Even though the SCS.1D has gotten oddly poorly of attention it is still a valid competitor for the OTUS.
Got to add as PS.
Some of you say its not innovative enough to have two different pitch sliders. However, you probably didn't think about the fact that the controls that you most use on two different decks somewhat simultaneously are the pitch sliders.
That said, in my eyes, the eyes of a person who likes to beat match manually despite software, that was a very good call.
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I only use one deck and as a musical instrument. I could understand your POV but to me non-motorized platter is a fail... I supose it is a success for beatmaching.
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@Oneil Stuart
The competition if you haven't noticed is the Numark V7! You can even add the VCI-300 or 100 and both separately are still cheaper than a Otus!
So we don't know any release, Q1 or Q2? And price?
Cause that is what i need. Me have, me have, have, have
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On January 13, 2010, sweetL commented...
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